Office depot has PS Elements 10 including Elements Premier for $89 total. I just bought it elsewhere for $109...Darn!

I used Artscow.com with great success. Get on their mailing list and get special pricing. I had them make 3 different 11"x14" mounted canvas prints for $15 each, with free shipping. They have a 3 items for $25 special right now.

BBNC, My D70S uses a CF card too, but I don't have a similar camera or card to compare speeds. I assume the D70S transfers slower due to it's older design and program, but don't know for sure. Will a faster CF card in it make a difference in data transfer rate, or is the camera program the limiting factor??

I agree with the higher class cards. Use at least a class 6. I have several Nikons, one of them a D7000. The older (D40) cameras don't need cards so fast, but I only buy class 10 cards so I don't accidently grab a slow one for my D7000. If you use the SD reader on your computer, the class 10 reads and writes faster. Class 10's can be bought on the internet cheaper than class 2's in a store locally. Class 10's are not easy to find locally anyway. I keep a half dozen on standby. I usually get the 8gb ones, bigger is not necessary for me and I download the pix long before they get close to full. As a side note, they are also great for transferring data from one computer to another.

Try using manual focus with Christmas lights. The blinking lights sometimes makes the autofocus wander.

Nikon John, my wife is already convinced I need a new body, just not so convinced I need a new camera....

Rich, being a beginner is a great place to be. Enjoy learning new ways to improve your work while having a ball and you will meet some great people in the process. Enjoy the journey and share your ideas, I have learned a lot from beginners...

RD, My issue is not with them protecting a legitimate businessman's property, I agree with not being a party to a theft of an image, but to deny making prints because they look professional, then refuse to my release form for the prints because I am not a licensed photographer is absurd. I could show them the camera they were taken with. I took the pictures and should be legally entitled to have my work printed, but Walmart refused. I say, their loss, I'll take all my family's business elsewhere. I normally wouldn't use them anyway, but my family did.
But I do agree that many people want to use other people's product without paying for the right to use it. Too much of that feeling of entitlement for me too.

Here is the problem with Walmart. I took some photos at my daughters wedding. We had a photographer, but I also took some candid shots on my own. We got the album, originals, and a release for those photos. My daughter went to Walmart to have some of my prints made and was told she would need a release form from the photographer. She explained that her Dad took them, they wouldn't believe her. She called me, I spoke to the person at Walmart, described the photos and explained I took them and would sign a release, they said they would need a release from a professional photographer with a business license. I could not get through to them I wasn't licensed, but would release them. Finally, I told my daughter to leave right then and get them done elsewhere. They have some real winners working there.
It wasn't worth my time to drive across town to confront the photo manager, so we don't shop there anymore.
I understand Walmart's concern for copyright issues if there is a copyright stamp on the originals, but if not, they have no way of knowing if a professional took them, they just make it up as they go along and leave you with images you can't have printed. I told my daughter to bring the release form from the wedding photographer the next time she wanted to print some of my photos and to go somewhere else.

I really like the D40, I got one for my wife because it is so much lighter than most of my other Nikons. I would suggest you buy an external flash for it. Your indoor pictures will show great improvement with a better flash. Speedlight SB-400 is only about $125, SB-600 around $200. The 18-55 lens is a fine lens, lightweight but takes great photos. If you get a telephoto lens, I suggest the Nikon 55-200 VR lens. Not too pricey and the VR will help with camera shake at the longer focal lengths. See Ken Rockwell's website for tips on using the D40 to it's fullest extent.

BSSmiley, the D60 is a fine camera, I have 2. I would keep the camera, take lots of photos, experiment with lenses and get some fast lenses instead of a new camera.
JohnnyRotten, many higher end full frame cameras (like the D700) have a DX mode where you can use your DX lenses with no cropping, but the image size is reduced because you are using a DX size portion of the sensor.

Gessman, I enjoy when a detailed answer is given because there are beginners and pros on this forum. Detailed responses go a long way in teaching those who haven't asked the question, yet benefit from your knowledge as they read your response. Getting back to basics helps us all from time to time. Thank you.

Cameranut, yes that is nice. I buy used cameras all the time and have had great results. I buy locally, but I would definately deal with a reputable on line company. They usually give you a guarantee so you know you will get a good camera. The risk of buying locally on Craigslist is that if you get one with a problem, there is usually no recourse. Adorama, KEH, and B&H are a few. Compare prices and what they currently have available. Nikon and Canon are the two most popular ones. I like Nikon, others like Canon. You can get something nice to begin with for $300-$400. That's what I pay for good ones locally.

OMG SusieB, Now that is a great photo! That's a perfect example of turning a picture into a photograph! Great job on the crop and shadow. I REALLY like that.

I too love photographing the rusty history of industry and automobiles.